Patients referred urgently for suspected breast cancer are facing extended wait times of nine weeks for their initial appointment, due to workforce shortages, Manx Care has disclosed.
The health care provider acknowledged that vacancies in staffing were preventing it from meeting the target of a two-week wait for these critical cases.
In response to the backlog, Manx Care has initiated measures such as offering appointments at hospitals in England and scheduling additional clinics within the Isle of Man.
While the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group criticized the nine-week wait as “unacceptable and not sustainable,” they welcomed the efforts by Manx Care to reduce waiting times.
Under the current system, patients attend a comprehensive assessment clinic that provides services including breast ultrasound and biopsies, staffed by a team including a breast radiologist, surgeon, and specialist nurse.
According to Manx Care, the delay primarily stems from a vacant consultant breast radiologist position. Temporary measures include securing locum cover on weekdays while recruitment efforts continue.
In the interim, visiting consultants are set to increase clinic availability, potentially assessing up to 15 patients weekly starting from late July. Manx Care emphasized that assessments and UK appointments are prioritized based on clinical urgency and referral date.
Partha Vaiude, clinical director for cancer services, emphasized the critical importance of early detection of breast cancer and noted that temporary arrangements aim to support patients during this challenging period.
Julie Stokes from the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group echoed concerns over waiting times, but expressed hope that current measures would alleviate delays until a permanent appointment could be filled.
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